The British F-35B stealth jet that accidentally extended its tropical vacation in Thiruvananthapuram is finally back in the skies. After more than five weeks of unexpected internet fame, memes, and curious onlookers, the $110 million jet has finally departed Kerala and is en route to Darwin, Australia.
The aircraft had landed on June 14 due to bad weather over the Indian Ocean, but what followed was an unplanned stay that made headlines and lit up social media. On Tuesday, the British High Commission confirmed the departure, noting that a UK engineering team, deployed since July 6, had completed repairs and safety checks to clear it for flight. A clip of the jet’s departure was posted on X by ANI.
The plane also had ties to royalty, being part of the HMS Prince of Wales fleet. While the situation offered plenty of laughs, it also drew attention to the unusual circumstances of the jet’s journey to Darwin.
Amidst the humor, serious questions were also raised about how such a technically advanced aircraft was forced to halt its journey. There had been speculation that if the technicians failed to repair the aircraft, it would have to be partially dismantled and transported in a larger cargo aircraft such as a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft.
F-35Bs are state-of-the-art stealth jets from Lockheed Martin, known for their short take-offs, vertical landings, and apparently extended tropical vacations. The $110 million (£80m) jet’s unexpected layover in Kerala made enough noise to reach the House of Commons, proving even the world’s most advanced aircraft can get stuck waiting for the weather to clear.
The joke gained traction when it was shared on the Kerala government’s official tourism page, which joined in on the fun. They made a post on X that said, "Kerala, the destination you'll never want to leave."
Kerala Tourism shared an AI-generated image of the F-35B fighter jet parked on a runway with coconut palms in the background, captioning it with a light remark on the jet’s extended stay.Kerala tourism socials
The admins of Kerala Tourism page also gave due credit to the source of the joke, The Fauxy, a parody handle, which shared the original joke with the line, “Kerala: Once you land, you won’t want to leave. Ask the British F-35”
One user joked that the jet had been in India long enough to deserve citizenship. Another suggested India should start charging rent—and that the Kohinoor might be a fitting form of payment.
Another post featured an AI-generated image of the F-35B parked on a runway, framed by swaying coconut palms. The caption quipped that, much like countless visitors to Kerala—famously known as 'God’s Own Country'—the jet too seemed in no hurry to leave its picturesque setting.
While the jet has left, its unexpected layover has already earned it a permanent spot in internet history.
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